I certainly respect what you say in regards to a statement signing but I'd counter Danson has made a statement signing in Thompson he will be on few Bob for sure,I agree the Farrell story refuses to go away but to me the all it ever was just rumours and nothing more,I'll say it again Billionaires tend to stay that not by chucking money about,who knows is this agent talk using Wigan as leverage to secure his marquee deal who knows but for me and I make no claim to any knowledge at all I think it's just that rumours.

I think there was a point where contact has been made but I’m not sure it’s gone beyond that.

With Itoje confirming he is due to leave I’d say it’s virtually impossible that Farrell will leave as well in the same season given their leadership roles at Saracens.

We might have £150k but that may include 3 players budgeted as marquee, either way the market for marquee or even players at £150k a year that are non quota must be slim to none this late in the off season?

If he didn’t want to lose/chuck money away being involved in a sports team and taking one over as the main shareholder is the last thing you would do so maybe this is a late in life venture to spend some of the money he has made in his life?

i don't disagree with you, I am just pointing out that we do have the money to do some business if we want.

Probably best to be left in the kitty for a potential mid-season signing, might be able to bring someone non-quota in a few months earlier or you never know there might be a case (due to injuries or just not playing) that maybe Miski, Isa or Mago get released early so we can sign someone from the NRL.

Agree, look at last season's late boost in the pack where Dupree with Singleton going the other way.

Assuming that Dupree was on a bigger salary than Singleton...

Seperately, as a minimum we will have Powell and Shorrocks salary available which should be a decent amount, the question is where do you use it and when?

I think we could be potentially light in the backs if we get an injury. What cover do we have apart from Douglas, Eckersley and Hampshire should our 1-7 get injured?

Yes we look a little short obviously the utility value of Hampshire with French and Keigrhan covers a lot of stuff add Eckersley and Douglas for centre and wings At a push Leaming in halves and Isa centre

Eckersley looks a decent prospect to me and decent back up at centre or wing, Hampshire is a decent enough back up for halves and full back, Keighran can cover in the halves as can Leeming and we have Farrimond also coming through who lots have high hopes for. It would be tough to add someone much better without the promise of being in the 13 when everyone is fit. Think we can get away with the depth in the forwards as it’s easier and beneficial to rotate.

I think we need a season without too much experienced depth in the backs because opportunities need to start opening up for Eckersley and Douglas. That wouldn’t have necessarily happened with Thornley/Cust still here (I know Cust is a halfback but he gave us that option of moving French to the wing if Miski/Marshall went down). I really like the look of both of those lads and hope to see them get some opportunities before long.

No squad numbers yet despite the shirt being out.

Is it case Peet wants to see everyone in preseason before dishing out the numbers or are we awaiting a signing ?

Last years came out in late December, 2022 in late November

Well the Farrell story seems dead in the water,indeed if it was ever realistically alive of course,he's bigging up him playing in the next world cup at 36 he was speaking the launch of some cup or other,funnily enough if anyone can still be fit for union at 36 it's him.

I’d say the former.

Going to be a pretty competitive pre-season me thinks especially with the Penrith game.

The same source that confirmed Smithies was leaving a few weeks back told me last night that Harry Smith has an NRL offer on the table along with (as you'd expect) a contract extension offer from Wigan.

Huge decision for him and huge for us. I think it’ll need to be lucrative any offer from Wigan but I’ve got everything crossed we can get him sorted on a long term deal.

He will go

We are due a player turning down the nrl surely! Not had much luck at fending them away have we!

Use the club trained marquee on him I reckon.

I think they are all used.
LT - Fed
JF & BF

Think this might be an unpopular opinion, but i would let one of French or Field go at the end of the season if it was necessary to keep Harry Smith on, he is so integral to everything that i think he is more than worth it. Whichever stays would be fullback and i would be looking to purchase a budget friendly Stand Off.

Personally (although i prefer him as a fullback) I would let Field go as French is more versatile and overall the better Rugby player.

If you factor age in if one had to go I think I would be keeping Field at the end of the season if you could tie him down to a long term deal

Not sure one would have to go, looks like we have cap space with Shorrocks and Powell going and Cooper and Mago will likely be leaving next season with their replacements already at the club so should be room to give Smith a tidy pay rise.

From what I’ve heard it will take a substantial pay rise to even give us a chance of keeping him.

I think that was always going to be the case even without the NRL interest. An integral part of the team with proven big game ability, full international (and a Man of the series one at that!) plus the normal contract increases you would expect for a player of his ability would all combine to suggest a hefty increase. Factor in the NRL and it is, as you say, going to be substantial.

Any rumours as to his thoughts on going or staying?